Luce County hosts 18th annual legislative luncheon with local leaders

By Sterling McGinn

The 18th Annual Legislative Luncheon on Friday, October 2 gave local residents a chance to speak to some of the area’s elected officials and candidates.

The program, organized by the Luce County Economic Development Corporation and Grow, Save, Restore Newberry, was held at Zellar’s Village Inn. It was moderated by community leader and business owner Kevin Vanatta.

State Senator Ed McBroom, of District 38, will be leaving his office when his term is up at the end of the year. He spoke about his political journey.

“It has been an honor serving you for the last 14 years, plus two years working for Tom [Casperson]” he said.

Lydia Christensen, Libertarian Candidate for U.S. Senate introduced herself and spoke on some of her objectives.

“First to start off, the first thing that I think we need to do to put the federal government in check is to institute a Digital Bill of Rights,” Christensen said. “This Digital Bill of Rights would ensure that your personally identifiable information and your digital data is your personal property.”

Christensen said she is concerned about protecting the environment and natural resources.

“Most importantly, out of everything happening in our federal government right now, is that we stand up against the erosion of our Fourth Amendment rights,” she said. “In the Senate, I also promise to ensure that every single vote that I cast will be to protect our water for future generations.”

Don Gerrie, Sault Ste. Marie, Michigan Mayor and Area Director of the USDA Rural Development spoke about the agency.

“We are present here in Luce County,” Gerrie said. “In the last 20 years, we have done 183 projects in this county.”

Those projects cost a total of $33,600,000, resulting in 154 new homeowners and assisting with nine different community facilities projects.

Former State Rep. Sarah Cambensy noted the growing dissatisfaction between America’s left and right parties and is running as an independent candidate for Michigan State Senate District 38 in the November general election.

“When we looked at the data on how people vote across America, 47 percent identify as independents,” Cambensy said. “In the U.P., county-by-county data going back through 2012, 2020, 2022, and 2024 shows that the vast majority of people up here split their tickets. To me, that was refreshing coming out of the State House where, when I ran as a Democrat, a lot of my views were not accepted by the party. It made it extremely difficult for me to be pro-Second Amendment, pro-Line 5 tunnel, and pro-Enbridge while wearing that party label.”

During the question-and-answer session, residents and students asked candidates and legislators about topics affecting the U.P.

Cliff Fossitt asked legislators what could be done to increase swamp tax (Payment in Lieu of Taxes). He noted that roughly 55 percent of the land in Luce County is owned by the state or is non-taxable forest land, which leaves Luce County in a financial strain.

McBroom said the late Tom Casperson last secured an increase in the Commercial Forest Act land tax reimbursement and another is long overdue.

McBroom suggested that contributions from tax-exempt land conservancies who have acquired large tracts of land could help.

One student asked, “How can we get more opportunities/funding to take advanced classes that will help us transition out of our small town?”

Christensen said the current education system fails to give students access to the types of hands-on and specialized learning they need.

“My plan includes utilizing federal funding to allow public schools to offer more exploratory choices—such as computer science, robotics, wood shop, metal shop, music, and art—classes that were once standard but have been cut,” she said.

Other topics revolving around the school and education included rural school transportation disadvantages, school facility funding and grant guidance and college application and financial aid.
Vanatta pointed out that two students in attendance worked the recent elections at the local polls.

“To all the young people here—there is a lot of reason to feel cynical about politics, but our system is still incredible,” said Sen. McBroom. “Anyone—a dairy farmer, a school liaison—can step up and serve. Volunteer on a local campaign, knock on doors, and stay involved. Over 95 percent of the people serving in office care deeply about their communities despite political differences. Don’t stop voting, and keep fighting for your community.”